Display device

ABSTRACT

A display device includes: a display panel; a driver IC that outputs a driving signal to the display panel; a flexible substrate on which the driver IC is mounted; a first frame that supports the display panel from a side of a light source; and a second frame that supports the light source while being provided independently of the first frame. The first frame includes a metallic frame unit which is opposite to the driver IC from the side of the light source.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from Japanese application JP2016-138768, filed Jul. 13, 2016. This Japanese application isincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a display device.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, in a display device, a technology of improving a heatdissipation property of a driver IC has been proposed to prevent amalfunction caused by heat generation of the driver IC. For example, ina technology disclosed in Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No.2011-227356, heat dissipation holes are made in a metallic rear frame(lower frame) and a resin cell guide (middle frame) while being oppositeto the driver IC mounted on a printed wiring film, thereby promoting theheat dissipation of the driver IC.

SUMMARY

In the conventional configuration described above, heat generated in thedriver IC can be dissipated through the heat dissipation holes. However,because the driver IC is surrounded by the resin cell guide, andsurroundings of the driver IC are easily filled with the heat, asufficient heat dissipation effect is hardly obtained.

In a display device disclosed in Unexamined Japanese Patent PublicationNo. 2007-310161, a plurality of display panels overlap each other, andan image is displayed on each display panel, thereby achieving highcontract. However, in the display device, because the driver ICs of thedisplay panels are disposed close to each other, particularly the driverICs disposed on a backlight side easily become a high-temperature state.It is more difficult to dissipate the heat of the driver IC in such adisplay device.

The present disclosure is made in consideration of such a situation, andan object of the present disclosure is to provide a display device thatcan improve the heat dissipation property of the driver IC.

To solve the above problem, a display device according to a presentdisclosure comprises: a display panel that displays an image; a driverIC that outputs a driving signal to the display panel; a flexiblesubstrate on which the driver IC is mounted; a first frame that supportsthe display panel from a side of a light source that emits light towardthe display panel; and a second frame that supports the light sourcewhile being provided independently of the first frame, wherein the firstframe includes a metallic frame unit, and the metallic frame unit isopposite to the driver IC from the side of the light source.

In the display device according to the present disclosure, heatgenerated in the driver IC may be transferred to the metallic frame unitby heat conduction in solids.

In the display device according to the present disclosure, the driver ICmay be in direct contact with the metallic frame unit, or in contactwith the metallic frame unit through another member interposed thedriver IC and the metallic frame unit.

In the display device according to the present disclosure, an elasticmember having a heat dissipation property may be disposed between thedriver IC and the metallic frame unit, and heat generated in the driverIC may be transferred to the metallic frame unit through the elasticmember.

The display device according to the present disclosure may furthercomprise a third frame that is made of a metallic material and covers anouter peripheral area of the display panel, wherein the display panelmay include a first display panel and a second display panel disposedcloser to the light source than the first display panel, the driver ICmay include a first driver IC that outputs a driving signal to the firstdisplay panel and a second driver IC that outputs a driving signal tothe second display panel, and the first driver IC may be opposite to thethird frame while the second driver IC may be opposite to the metallicframe unit.

In the display device according to the present disclosure, the firstdriver IC may be in contact with the third frame, or in contact with thethird frame through another member interposed between the first driverIC and the third frame, and the second driver IC may be in contact withthe metallic frame unit, or in contact with the metallic frame unitthrough another member interposed between the second driver IC and themetallic frame unit.

In the display device according to the present disclosure, in planarview, the first driver IC may be disposed on a first side of a displayscreen, and the second driver IC may be disposed on a second sideopposite to the first side of the display screen.

In the display device according to the present disclosure, the firstframe may include a resin spacer, and the resin spacer may retain adistance between the first frame and the third frame.

In the display device according to the present disclosure, the flexiblesubstrate may include a plurality of first flexible substrates on eachof which a corresponding first driver IC is mounted and a plurality ofsecond flexible substrates on each of which a corresponding seconddriver IC is mounted, and the resin spacer may include a first resinspacer protruding from a first frame side toward a third frame sidethrough between first flexible substrates adjacent to each other and asecond resin spacer protruding from the first frame side toward thethird frame side through between second flexible substrates adjacent toeach other.

In the display device according to the present disclosure, the metallicframe unit may include a sidewall extending in a direction perpendicularto a display screen, the second frame may include a sidewall extendingin the direction perpendicular to the display screen, and a gap may beformed between the sidewall of the metallic frame unit and the sidewallof the second frame.

A gap may be formed between a sidewall extending in a directionperpendicular to a display screen in the metallic frame unit and asidewall extending in the direction perpendicular to the display screenin the second frame.

The display device according to the present disclosure enables animprovement of a heat dissipation property of driver ICs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a schematic configuration of liquidcrystal display device according to the present exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the schematicconfiguration of liquid crystal display device of the present exemplaryembodiment, in which a first display panel is not illustrated forconvenience;

FIG. 3A is a sectional perspective view taken along line A-A′ in FIG. 2,and illustrates a state in which an upper frame is attached;

FIG. 3B is a sectional perspective view taken along line A-A′ in FIG. 2,and illustrates a state in which an upper frame is seen through;

FIG. 4 is a partially sectional view taken along line B-B′ in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating a schematic configuration of liquidcrystal display device according to another present exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a configuration that positions afirst display panel and a second display panel;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of an upperresin spacer for position adjustment;

FIG. 7B is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of an upperresin spacer for position adjustment;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating a state in which a positionadjusting spacer is horizontally moved;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a positionadjusting spacer is in contact with the corners of a first display paneland a second display panel;

FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating another configuration that positionsa first display panel and a second display panel;

FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating a schematic configuration of firstdisplay panel;

FIG. 12 is a plan view illustrating a schematic configuration of seconddisplay panel;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along lines C-C′ in FIGS. 11 and 12;and

FIG. 14 is a sectional view illustrating a partial configuration ofliquid crystal display device provided with one display panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will bedescribed with reference to the drawings. In the exemplary embodiment, aliquid crystal display device is described as an example of displaydevice. However the present disclosure is not limited to the liquidcrystal display device. For example the present disclosure may be anorganic electroluminescence display (OLED) device.

For example, a liquid crystal display device of the present exemplaryembodiment includes a plurality of display panels that display images, aplurality of driving circuits (a plurality of source driver ICs and aplurality of gate driver ICs) that drive the display panels, a pluralityof timing controllers that control the driving circuits, an imageprocessor that performs image processing on an input video signal inputfrom an outside and outputs image data to each of the timingcontrollers, and a backlight that irradiates the plurality of displaypanels with light from a rear surface side. There is no limitation tothe number of display panels, but one or at least two display panels maybe used. In a case in which the plurality of display panels are used,when viewed from an observer side, the plurality of display panels aredisposed while overlapping each other in a front-back direction, and animage is displayed on each display panel. Liquid crystal display device10 including two display panels will be described below by way ofexample.

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a schematic configuration of liquidcrystal display device 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment.As illustrated in FIG. 1, liquid crystal display device 10 includesfirst display panel 100 disposed closer to an observer (front side),second display panel 200 disposed closer to a backlight (rear side) thanfirst display panel 100, first source driver ICs 120 and first gatedriver ICs 130 which are provided in first display panel 100, and secondsource driver ICs 220 and second gate driver ICs 230, which are providedin second display panel 200. There is no limitation to the number ofdriver ICs. A backlight (not illustrated in FIG. 1) is disposed on arear surface side of second display panel 200. First display panel 100and second display panel 200 have an identical outer shape in planarview.

For example, first source driver ICs 120 are mounted on first flexiblesubstrates 121 (for example, flexible printed circuits (FPCs)) by usinga chip-on-film (COF) method. First flexible substrates 121 are connectedto first circuit board 122 (for example, printed circuit board (PCB)).For example, first gate driver ICs 130 are mounted on athin-film-transistor substrate (TFT substrate) by using a chip-on-glass(COG) method. Image data and various timing signals, which are outputfrom a timing controller (not illustrated) for first display panel 100,are input to first source driver ICs 120 and first gate driver ICs 130through first circuit board 122.

For example, second source driver ICs 220 are mounted on second flexiblesubstrates 221 (for example, flexible printed circuits (FPCs)) by usingthe COF method. Second flexible substrates 221 are connected to secondcircuit board 222 (for example, PCB). For example, second gate driverICs 230 are mounted on a thin-film-transistor substrate (TFT substrate)by using the COG method. Image data and various timing signals, whichare output from a timing controller (not illustrated) for second displaypanel 200, are input to second source driver ICs 220 and second gatedriver ICs 230 through second circuit board 222.

First display panel 100 displays a color image in image display region110 according to the input video signal, and second display panel 200displays a monochrome image in image display region 210 according to theinput video signal. The monochrome image and the color image aredisplayed on a display screen while overlapping each other, which givesa high-contrast image.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the schematicconfiguration of liquid crystal display device 10 of the presentexemplary embodiment. For convenience, first display panel 100 is notillustrated in FIG. 2.

In liquid crystal display device 10, upper frame 530 (third frame),first display panel 100, second display panel 200, middle frame 510(first frame), and lower frame 520 (second frame) are separatelydisposed in this order from the observer side. Lower frame 520 is madeof a metallic material, and formed into a concave shape as a whole.Lower frame 520 accommodates light source 410 constituting backlight400, and retains diffuser plate 420, optical sheet 430, and the like,which constitute backlight 400 (see FIG. 3). Middle frame 510 includesmetallic frame unit 511 made of a metallic material and formed into aframe shape, upper resin spacer 512 disposed between metallic frame unit511 and upper frame 530, and lower resin spacer 513 disposed betweenmetallic frame unit 511 and lower frame 520. Upper resin spacer 512 andlower resin spacer 513 are made of a resin material. Middle frame 510supports first display panel 100 and second display panel 200 from abacklight side. Upper resin spacer 512 includes upper resin spacers 512a disposed in corners of metallic frame unit 511 and upper resin spacers512 b disposed in areas (sides) between the corners of metallic frameunit 511. Upper resin spacers 512 a are formed into an L-shape in planarview of liquid crystal display device 10, and a whole of upper resinspacer 512 a is disposed on metallic frame unit 511. Upper resin spacers512 b are formed into an L-shape in side view of liquid crystal displaydevice 10. A part of upper resin spacer 512 b is disposed on metallicframe unit 511 while another part of upper resin spacer 512 b isdisposed on a side face of metallic frame unit 511. Upper resin spacer512 has a function as a positioning member positioning first displaypanel 100 and second display panel 200 in a horizontal direction inaddition to a function as a retaining member retaining a distancebetween metallic frame unit 511 and upper frame 530. A configuration inwhich first display panel 100 and second display panel 200 arepositioned using upper resin spacer 512 will be described later. Upperframe 530 is made of a metallic material and formed into a frame shape.Upper frame 530 covers outer peripheral area (frame region) of firstdisplay panel 100 and second display panel 200 from the observer side.For example, upper frame 530, middle frame 510, and lower frame 520 arefixed to one another using screws.

Each of FIGS. 3A and 3B is a sectional perspective view taken along lineA-A′ in FIG. 2. Each of FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrates a state in whichliquid crystal display device 10 is assembled, and illustrates bothfirst display panel 100 and second display panel 200. FIG. 3Aillustrates a state in which upper frame 530 is attached, and FIG. 3Billustrates a state in which upper frame 530 is seen through.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, first flexible substrate 121 is bentso that first circuit board 122 of first display panel 100 is positionedin a side of liquid crystal display 10. First flexible substrate 121 isretained by upper resin spacer 512 b. Protrusions 512 c protruding ontoa side of upper frame 530 and notches 512 d are formed on a displaysurface side (observer side) of upper resin spacer 512 b, and firstflexible substrates 121 are respectively disposed in notch 512 d. In thecase that a plurality of first flexible substrates 121 are disposed,each protrusion 512 c passes between first flexible substrates 121adjacent to each other, and protrudes onto the side of upper frame 530.Although not illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, similarly second flexiblesubstrate 221 is bent so that second circuit board 222 of second displaypanel 200 is positioned in a side of liquid crystal display 10. Secondflexible substrate 221 is retained by upper resin spacer 512 b. Secondflexible substrates 221 are respectively disposed in notches 512 dformed in upper resin spacers 512 b. In the case that a plurality ofsecond flexible substrates 221 are disposed, each protrusion 512 cformed in upper resin spacer 512 b passes between second flexiblesubstrates 221 adjacent to each other, and protrudes onto the side ofupper frame 530. Ends of first display panel 100 and second displaypanel 200 are disposed in a gap, which is formed between upper frame 530and middle frame 510 using upper resin spacer 512. Ends of diffuserplate 420, optical sheet 430, and the like are disposed in a gap, whichis formed between middle frame 510 and lower frame 520 using lower resinspacer 513.

FIG. 4 is a partially sectional view taken along line B-B′ in FIG. 2.FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a state in which a region includingfirst source driver IC 120 and second source driver IC 220 is partiallyenlarged.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, first source driver IC 120 is disposed so asto be opposite to upper frame 530 through first flexible substrates 121interposed therebetween, more particularly to be in contact with upperframe 530 through first flexible substrates 121 interposed therebetween.First source driver IC 120 may directly be in contact with upper frame530. Because upper frame 530 is made of the metallic material, the heatgenerated in first source driver IC 120 is transferred to upper frame530 by heat conduction in solids. Therefore, the heat generated in firstsource driver IC 120 can be dissipated to the outside (upward arrowdirection) through upper frame 530. A portion of upper frame 530opposite to first source driver IC 120 may protrude onto the backlightside. This enables improvement of the heat dissipation property of firstsource driver IC 120. Second source driver IC 220 is disposed so as tobe opposite to metallic frame unit 511 of middle frame 510, moreparticularly to be in contact with metallic frame unit 511 throughelastic member 700 interposed therebetween, elastic member 700 having ahigh heat dissipation property. Second source driver IC 220 may directlybe in contact with metallic frame unit 511. Because metallic frame unit511 is made of the metallic material, the heat generated in secondsource driver IC 220 is transferred to metallic frame unit 511 throughelastic member 700 by heat conduction in solids. Therefore, the heatgenerated in second source driver IC 220 can be dissipated to theoutside (downward arrow direction) through metallic frame unit 511. Asillustrated in FIG. 4, elastic member 700 (for example, rubber) havingthe high heat dissipation property may be provided between second sourcedriver IC 220 and metallic frame unit 511. Therefore, the heatdissipation property of second source driver IC 220 can be improvedwhile damage of second source driver IC 220 is prevented. Thus, firstsource driver IC 120 and second source driver IC 220 adopt structuresthat dissipate the heat to individual metallic frames (upper frame 530and metallic frame unit 511), so that the heat generated in each driverIC can effectively be dissipated. This enables prevention of amalfunction associated with a temperature rise of each driver IC.

In the example of FIGS. 3A and 3B, metallic frame unit 511 of middleframe 510 includes opposite frame plate 511 a that is disposed so as tobe opposite to first display panel 100 and second display panel 200 fromthe rear surface side and sidewall 511 b hung onto the rear surface sidefrom an outer peripheral end of opposite frame plate 511 a. Oppositeframe plate 511 a is disposed between second display panel 200, anddiffuser plate 420 and optical sheet 430 which constitute backlight 400.Opposite frame plate 511 a is parallel to the display screen. Sidewall511 b extends in a direction perpendicular to the display screen, andsurrounds peripheries of diffuser plate 420 and optical sheet 430, whichconstitute backlight 400.

Lower frame 520 includes peripheral frame plate 521 positioned oppositeto opposite frame plate 511 a of metallic frame unit 511, rear-surfaceplate 523 disposed opposite to backlight 400 from an opposite side tothe observer, and sidewall 522 extending between an inner peripheral endof peripheral frame plate 521 and an outer peripheral end ofrear-surface plate 523. Lower resin spacer 513 is disposed on peripheralframe plate 521, and peripheral frame plate 521 supports opposite frameplate 511 a of metallic frame unit 511 with lower resin spacer 513interposed therebetween. Sidewall 522 extends in the directionperpendicular to the display screen, and surrounds a periphery ofbacklight 400.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, gap 800 may be formed between middleframe 510 (in particular, metallic frame unit 511) and lower frame 520.Specifically, gap 800 is formed between sidewall 511 b of metallic frameunit 511 and sidewall 522 of lower frame 520. Therefore, the heattransferred from second source driver IC 220 to metallic frame unit 511is easily dissipated from a neighborhood of gap 800 to the outside, sothat the heat dissipation property can further be improved.

As can be seen from FIGS. 3A and 3B, metallic frame unit 511 of middleframe 510 is supported by lower frame 520 with lower resin spacer 513interposed therebetween, but is not in contact with lower frame 520.That is, metallic frame unit 511 is spaced apart from lower frame 520,and therefore the heat is not directly transferred from metallic frameunit 511 to lower frame 520 by heat conduction in solids. In thismanner, metallic frame unit 511 and metallic lower frame 520, which arespaced apart from each other, are layered with lower resin spacer 513interposed therebetween, lower resin spacer 513 having heat conductivitylower than that of metallic frame unit 511 and metallic lower frame 520.Therefore, the heat is hardly transferred between metallic frame unit511 and lower frame 520. For this reason, even if lower frame 520 iswarmed by heat from light source 410 of backlight 400, the heat fromsecond source driver IC 220 is dissipated while transferred to metallicframe unit 511 separated from lower frame 520, so that the heatdissipation property of second source driver IC 220 can be improved.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, backlight 400 includes aplurality of light sources 410 that are accommodated in lower frame 520while attached to lower frame 520, and diffuser plate 420 and opticalsheet 430, which are disposed between light source 410 and seconddisplay panel 200. For example, light sources 410 illustrated in FIG. 2are constructed with light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and aretwo-dimensionally arranged at intervals in lower frame 520.

A positional relationship between first display panel 100 and seconddisplay panel 200 is not limited to the configuration illustrated inFIG. 1. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, in planar view of liquidcrystal display device 10, first source driver ICs 120, first flexiblesubstrates 121, and first circuit board 122 may be disposed on a lowerside of the display screen, second source driver ICs 220, secondflexible substrates 221, and second circuit board 222 may be disposed onan upper side of the display screen, and first display panel 100 andsecond display panel 200 may be disposed while positions of firstdisplay panel 100 and second display panel 200 are vertically inverted.In the configuration of FIG. 5, each of first source driver ICs 120 andsecond source driver ICs 220 is sandwiched between metallic upper frame530 and metallic frame unit 511, so that the heat dissipation propertyof each driver IC can further be improved.

The heat dissipation structure against the heat generated in the sourcedriver IC is described above. However the display device of the presentdisclosure is not limited thereto, and can also be applied to a gatedriver IC.

Next, the configuration in which first display panel 100 and seconddisplay panel 200 are positioned using upper resin spacer 512 will bedescribed below.

FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a configuration that positions firstdisplay panel 100 and second display panel 200. FIG. 6 illustrates firstdisplay panel 100, second display panel 200, and four upper resinspacers 512 a respectively disposed in the corners of middle frame 510(metallic frame unit 511). Each upper resin spacer 512 a is formed intothe L-shape in planar view of liquid crystal display device 10, andupper resin spacers 512 a are respectively in contact with two sides(for example, left and upper sides, upper and right sides, right andlower sides, and lower and left sides) in each of first display panel100 and second display panel 200, thereby horizontally fixing displaypanels 100, 200. One of four upper resin spacers 512 a (lower-rightupper resin spacer 512 a in FIG. 6) is attached to metallic frame unit511 so as not to be horizontally moved, and acts as a reference spacer.Remaining three upper resin spacers 512 a are attached to metallic frameunit 511 while positions of upper resin spacers 512 a are horizontallyadjustable, and act as position adjusting spacers.

Each of FIGS. 7A and 7B is a perspective view illustrating aconfiguration of upper resin spacer 512 a for position adjustment(hereinafter, referred to as position adjusting spacer 512 a 2).Position adjusting spacer 512 a 2 includes protruding sections 5 aprotruding onto the backlight side and screw hole sections 5 b in whichscrews are inserted in order to screw position adjusting spacer 512 a 2on metallic frame unit 511. Metallic frame unit 511 includes receiversection 511 a that receives protruding section 5 a and screw holesections 511 b in which the screws are inserted. For example, protrudingsection 5 a and receiver section 511 a are formed into a circular shapein planar view, and receiver section 511 a is formed larger thanprotruding section 5 a. Therefore, on metallic frame unit 511, positionadjusting spacer 512 a 2 can horizontally be position-adjusted (moved)by a difference in size between receiver section 511 a and protrudingsection 5 a.

A method for positioning first display panel 100 and second displaypanel 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 6 and FIGS. 7A and7B. First, upper resin spacer 512 a for reference (hereinafter, referredto as reference spacer 512 a 1) is screwed on metallic frame unit 511.Then, first display panel 100 and second display panel 200 are placed onmetallic frame unit 511 such that the corners (two sides adjacent toeach other) of first display panel 100 and second display panel 200 arepositioned in the surroundings of reference spacer 512 a 1. Then, threeposition adjusting spacers 512 a 2 are attached to respective corners ofmetallic frame unit 511 such that each protruding section 5 a is fittedin corresponding receiver 511 a. Then, each of three position adjustingspacers 512 a 2 is horizontally moved while pushed against correspondingcorners of first display panel 100 and second display panel 200, and theouter peripheral ends of display panels 100, 200 are pushed againstreference spacer 512 a 1. FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating astate in which position adjusting spacer 512 a 2 is horizontally moved.FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which positionadjusting spacer 512 a 2 is in contact with the corners of first displaypanel 100 and second display panel 200. Therefore, the four corners ofeach of first display panel 100 and second display panel 200 are incontact with four upper resin spacers 512 a. Finally position adjustingspacers 512 a 2 are screwed on metallic frame unit 511.

Thus, first display panel 100 and second display panel 200 can bepositioned. In the above-described configuration, position adjustingspacers 512 a 2 are respectively disposed in three corners.Alternatively, one position adjusting spacer 512 a 2 may be disposedonly in a corner located on a diagonal line formed with reference spacer512 a 1 and the corner.

The shapes of reference spacer 512 a 1 and position adjusting spacers512 a 2 are not limited to the above-described configuration. Forexample, as illustrated in FIG. 10, reference spacers 512 a 1 andposition adjusting spacers 512 a 2 may be formed into a rectangularshape. In this case, using two sides (right and lower sides in FIG. 10)adjacent to each other as reference sides, at least one referencespacers 512 a 1 are disposed in each reference side, and using theremaining two sides (left and upper sides in FIG. 10) adjacent to eachother as adjustment sides, at least one position adjusting spacers 512 a2 are disposed in each adjustment side. Thus, first display panel 100and second display panel 200 can be positioned.

The shapes of protruding section 5 a and receiver 511 a are not limitedto the circular shape, but protruding section 5 a and receiver 511 a mayhave an elliptical shape or a rectangular shape. Reference spacer 512 a1 and position adjusting spacers 512 a 2 may be made of an elasticmember (for example, rubber).

As described above, in liquid crystal display device 10 of the presentexemplary embodiment, middle frame 510 mainly has a characteristicconfiguration, which allows the improvement of the heat dissipationproperty of the driver IC and the improvement of positioning accuracy offirst display panel 100 and second display panel 200. A knownconfiguration can be applied to first display panel 100 and seconddisplay panel 200. Configuration examples of first display panel 100 andsecond display panel 200, which can be applied to liquid crystal displaydevice 10 will be described below.

FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating a schematic configuration of firstdisplay panel 100, and FIG. 12 is a plan view illustrating a schematicconfiguration of second display panel 200. FIG. 13 is a sectional viewtaken along lines C-C′ in FIGS. 11 and 12. In FIGS. 11 and 12, theplurality of first source driver ICs 120 (see FIG. 1) are collectivelyillustrated as one first source driver IC 120. The same holds true forother driver ICs.

A configuration of first display panel 100 will be described withreference to FIGS. 11 and 13. As illustrated in FIG. 13, first displaypanel 100 includes thin-film-transistor substrate 101 (hereinafter,referred to as a TFT substrate) disposed on the side of backlight 400,color filter substrate 102 (hereinafter, referred to as a CF substrate),which is disposed on the observer side while being opposite to TFTsubstrate 101, and liquid crystal layer 103 disposed between TFTsubstrate 101 and CF substrate 102. Polarizing plate 104 is disposed onthe side of backlight 400 of first display panel 100, and polarizingplate 105 is disposed on the observer side.

In TFT substrate 101, as illustrated in FIG. 11, a plurality of datalines 111 extending in a first direction (for example, a columndirection), a plurality of gate lines 112 extending in a seconddirection (for example, a row direction) different from the firstdirection are formed, and thin film transistor 113 (hereinafter,referred to as a TFT) is formed near an intersection between each of theplurality of data lines 111 and each of the plurality of gate lines 112.

In planar view of first display panel 100, a region surrounded by twodata lines 111 adjacent to each other and two gate lines 112 adjacent toeach other is defined as one pixel 114, and a plurality of pixels 114are disposed in a matrix form (the row direction and the columndirection). The plurality of data lines 111 are disposed at equalintervals in the row direction, and the plurality of gate lines 112 aredisposed at equal intervals in the column direction. In TFT substrate101, pixel electrode 115 is formed in each pixel 114, and one commonelectrode (not illustrated) common to the plurality of pixels 114 isformed. A drain electrode constituting TFT 113 is electrically connectedto data line 111, a source electrode constituting TFT 113 iselectrically connected to pixel electrode 115, and a gate electrodeconstituting TFT 113 is electrically connected to gate line 112.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, a plurality of colored portions 102 a each ofwhich corresponds to pixel 114 are formed on CF substrate 102. Eachcolored portion 102 a is surrounded by black matrix 102 b blocking lighttransmission. For example, each colored portion 102 a is formed into arectangular shape. The plurality of colored portions 102 a include redportions made of a red (R color) material to transmit red light, greenportions made of a green (G color) material to transmit green light, andblue portions made of a blue (B color) material to transmit blue light.One of the red portions, one of the green portions, and one of the blueportions are repeatedly arranged in this order in the row direction, thecolored portions having the same color are arranged in the columndirection, and black matrices 102 b are formed in boundaries of coloredportions 102 a adjacent in the row and column directions. According tocolored portions 102 a, the plurality of pixels 114 include red pixels114R corresponding to the red portions, green pixels 114G correspondingto the green portions, and blue pixels 114B corresponding to the blueportions as illustrated in FIG. 11.

Although an in-plane-switching (IPS) type pixel structure is cited as anexample of first display panel 100, first display panel 100 is notlimited to the IPS type pixel structure. A layered structure of eachunit constituting pixel 114 is not limited to the above-describedconfiguration.

First timing controller 140 corresponding to first display panel 100 hasa known configuration. For example, based on first image data DAT1 andfirst control signal CS1 (such as a clock signal, a verticalsynchronizing signal, or a horizontal synchronizing signal), which areoutput from an image processor, first timing controller 140 generatesvarious timing signals (data start pulse DSP1, data clock DCK1, gatestart pulse GSP1, and gate clock GCK1) to control first image data DA1and drive of first source driver IC 120 and first gate driver IC 130(see FIG. 11). First timing controller 140 outputs first image data DA1,data start pulse DSP1, and data clock DCK1 to first source driver IC120, and outputs gate start pulse GSP1 and gate clock GCK1 to first gatedriver IC 130.

First source driver IC 120 outputs a data signal (data voltage)corresponding to first image data DA1 to data lines 111 based on datastart pulse DSP1 and data clock DCK1. First gate driver IC 130 outputs agate signal (gate voltage) to gate lines 112 based on gate start pulseGSP1 and gate clock GCK1.

The data voltage is supplied from first source driver IC 120 to eachdata line 111, and the gate voltage is supplied from first gate driverIC 130 to each gate line 112. Common voltage V_(com) is supplied from acommon driver (not illustrated) to the common electrode. When the gatevoltage (gate-on voltage) is supplied to gate line 112, TFT 113connected to gate line 112 is turned on, and the data voltage issupplied to pixel electrode 115 through data line 111 connected to TFT113. An electric field is generated by a difference between the datavoltage supplied to pixel electrode 115 and common voltage V_(com)supplied to the common electrode. The liquid crystal is driven by theelectric field, and transmittance of backlight 400 is controlled,thereby displaying an image. In first display panel 100, a color imageis displayed by supply of a desired data voltage to data line 111connected to pixel electrode 115 of each of red pixel 114R, green pixel114G, and blue pixel 114B.

Next, a configuration of second display panel 200 will be describedbelow with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. As illustrated in FIG. 13,second display panel 200 includes TFT substrate 201 disposed on the sideof backlight 400, CF substrate 202, which is disposed on the observerside while being opposite to TFT substrate 201, and liquid crystal layer203 disposed between TFT substrate 201 and CF substrate 202. Polarizingplate 204 is disposed on the side of backlight 400 of second displaypanel 200, and polarizing plate 205 is disposed on the observer side.Diffusion sheet 301 is disposed between polarizing plate 104 of firstdisplay panel 100 and polarizing plate 205 of second display panel 200.

In TFT substrate 201, as illustrated in FIG. 12, a plurality of datalines 211 extending in the column direction, a plurality of gate lines212 extending in the row direction are formed, and TFT 213 is formednear an intersection between each of the plurality of data lines 211 andeach of the plurality of gate lines 212. In planar view of seconddisplay panel 200, a region surrounded by two data lines 211 adjacent toeach other and two gate lines 212 adjacent to each other is defined asone pixel 214, and a plurality of pixels 214 are disposed in a matrixform (the row direction and the column direction). The plurality of datalines 211 are disposed at equal intervals in the row direction, and theplurality of gate lines 212 are disposed at equal intervals in thecolumn direction. In TFT substrate 201, pixel electrode 215 is formed ineach pixel 214, and one common electrode (not illustrated) common to theplurality of pixels 214 is formed. A drain electrode constituting TFT213 is electrically connected to data line 211, a source electrodeconstituting TFT 213 is electrically connected to pixel electrode 215,and a gate electrode constituting TFT 213 is electrically connected togate line 212.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, in CF substrate 202, black matrix 202 bblocking light transmission is formed at a position corresponding to aboundary of each pixel 214. The colored portion is not formed in region202 a surrounded by black matrix 202 b. For example, an overcoat film isformed in region 202 a.

Although the IPS type pixel structure is cited as an example of seconddisplay panel 200, second display panel 200 is not limited to the IPStype pixel structure. A layered structure of each unit constitutingpixel 214 is not limited to the above-described configuration.

Based on second image data DAT2 and second control signal CS2 (such as aclock signal, a vertical synchronizing signal, or a horizontalsynchronizing signal), which are output from an image processor, secondtiming controller 240 generates various timing signals (data start pulseDSP2, data clock DCK2, gate start pulse GSP2, and gate clock GCK2) tocontrol second image data DA2 and drive of second source driver IC 220and second gate driver IC 230 (see FIG. 12). Second timing controller240 outputs second image data DA2, data start pulse DSP2, and data clockDCK2 to second source driver IC 220, and outputs gate start pulse GSP2and gate clock GCK2 to second gate driver IC 230.

Second source driver IC 220 outputs the data voltage corresponding tosecond image data DA2 to data lines 211 based on data start pulse DSP2and data clock DCK2. Second gate driver IC 230 outputs the gate voltageto gate lines 212 based on gate start pulse GSP2 and gate clock GCK2.

The data voltage is supplied from second source driver IC 220 to eachdata line 211, and the gate voltage is supplied from second gate driverIC 230 to each gate line 212. Common voltage V_(com) is supplied fromthe common driver to the common electrode. When the gate voltage(gate-on voltage) is supplied to gate line 212, TFT 213 connected togate line 212 is turned on, and the data voltage is supplied to pixelelectrode 215 through data line 211 connected to TFT 213. An electricfield is generated by a difference between the data voltage supplied topixel electrode 215 and common voltage V_(com) supplied to the commonelectrode. The liquid crystal is driven by the electric field, andtransmittance of backlight 400 is controlled, thereby displaying animage. The monochrome image is displayed on second display panel 200.

Liquid crystal display device 10 of the exemplary embodiment describedabove includes the plurality of (for example, two) display panels.Alternatively, the display device of the present disclosure may includeone display panel. FIG. 14 is a sectional view illustrating a partialconfiguration of liquid crystal display device 10 provided with onedisplay panel 1000. FIG. 14 illustrates a configuration that dissipatesthe heat generated in source driver IC 120. Specifically, elastic member700 (for example, rubber) having the high heat dissipation property andmetallic frame unit 511 of middle frame 510 are disposed on thebacklight side of source driver IC 120, and metallic upper frame 530 isdisposed on the observer side. Therefore, source driver IC 120 issandwiched between metallic upper frame 530 and metallic frame unit 511,so that the heat dissipation property of source driver IC120 can beimproved.

Also in liquid crystal display device 10 including one display panel1000, the positioning configuration illustrated in FIG. 6 and the likecan be applied when display panel 1000 is attached to middle frame 510.

In the above, the specific embodiments of the present application havebeen described, but the present application is not limited to theabove-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications may be made asappropriate without departing from the spirit of the presentapplication.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device comprising: a display panel thatdisplays an image; a driver IC that outputs a driving signal to thedisplay panel; a flexible substrate on which the driver IC is mounted; afirst frame that supports the display panel from a side of a lightsource that emits light toward the display panel; and a second framethat supports the light source while being provided independently of thefirst frame, wherein the first frame includes a metallic frame unit, andthe metallic frame unit is opposite to the driver IC from the side ofthe light source.
 2. The display device according to claim 1, whereinheat generated in the driver IC is transferred to the metallic frameunit by heat conduction in solids.
 3. The display device according toclaim 1, wherein the driver IC is in direct contact with the metallicframe unit, or in contact with the metallic frame unit through anothermember interposed the driver IC and the metallic frame unit.
 4. Thedisplay device according to claim 1, wherein an elastic member having aheat dissipation property is disposed between the driver IC and themetallic frame unit, and heat generated in the driver IC is transferredto the metallic frame unit through the elastic member.
 5. The displaydevice according to claim 1, further comprising a third frame that ismade of a metallic material and covers an outer peripheral area of thedisplay panel, wherein the display panel includes a first display paneland a second display panel disposed closer to the light source than thefirst display panel, the driver IC includes a first driver IC thatoutputs a driving signal to the first display panel and a second driverIC that outputs a driving signal to the second display panel, and thefirst driver IC is opposite to the third frame while the second driverIC is opposite to the metallic frame unit.
 6. The display deviceaccording to claim 5, wherein the first driver IC is in contact with thethird frame, or in contact with the third frame through another memberinterposed between the first driver IC and the third frame, and thesecond driver IC is in contact with the metallic frame unit, or incontact with the metallic frame unit through another member interposedbetween the second driver IC and the metallic frame unit.
 7. The displaydevice according to claim 5, wherein in planar view, the first driver ICis disposed on a first side of a display screen, and the second driverIC is disposed on a second side opposite to the first side of thedisplay screen.
 8. The display device according to claim 5, wherein thefirst frame includes a resin spacer, and the resin spacer retains adistance between the first frame and the third frame.
 9. The displaydevice according to claim 8, wherein the flexible substrate includes aplurality of first flexible substrates on each of which a correspondingfirst driver IC is mounted and a plurality of second flexible substrateson each of which a corresponding second driver IC is mounted, and theresin spacer includes a first resin spacer protruding from a first frameside toward a third frame side through between first flexible substratesadjacent to each other and a second resin spacer protruding from thefirst frame side toward the third frame side through between secondflexible substrates adjacent to each other.
 10. The display deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the metallic frame unit includes asidewall extending in a direction perpendicular to a display screen, thesecond frame includes a sidewall extending in the directionperpendicular to the display screen, and a gap is formed between thesidewall of the metallic frame unit and the sidewall of the secondframe.